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Public advisory

Products containing undeclared prescription drugs removed from Burnaby West Box store

Starting date:
February 3, 2014
Posting date:
February 3, 2014
Type of communication:
Advisory
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Undeclared Substance, Unauthorized products
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-37859

Issue

Health Canada has removed unauthorized health products (see table below) containing various prescription drugs that should only be used under medical supervision, from the retail store, West Box in Burnaby B.C. These products may pose serious risks to the health of Canadians.

Health Canada has not received any adverse reactions reports associated with the use of these products.

Who is affected:

Canadians who either have used or purchased these products. These unauthorized health products were either being promoted for weight loss or for certain eye problems.

What consumers should do:

  • Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
  • Report any adverse events using these products to Health Canada.
  • Speak to your healthcare practitioner with any questions or concerns regarding these products.

What Health Canada is doing:

Through compliance verification activities, Health Canada identified that West Box (Unit 1337-4500 Kingsway, Crystal Mall) in Burnaby, B.C., was selling these unauthorized products, which were either being promoted for  weight loss or for certain eye problems.

The prescription ingredients contained in the various "Crane" products were identified through testing at a Departmental lab.

List of Products
Product Name Prescription Ingredient(s) Indicated Use Date Added
Crane Beauty Green Algae Compound Tablets Sibutramine and sildenafil analog Weight Loss February 3, 2014
Crane Beauty Green Algae Body Slimming Combination Fluoxetine Weight Loss February 3, 2014
Crane Beauty Green Algae Complex Tablets Fluoxetine Weight Loss February 3, 2014
Crane Beauty Green Algae Perfect Match Nicotine Weight Loss February 3, 2014
Santé FX Neo Neostigmine methylsulfate Eye drops for tired and red eyes February 3, 2014
Santé FX V+ Neostigmine methylsulfate Eye drops for tired and red eyes February 3, 2014

 

Background

Products containing sildenafil should never be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems including high blood pressure, a history of heart attack, stroke, abnormal heart beat or chest pain are at higher risk of cardiovascular side effects if they engage in sexual activity, including if they use sildenafil. Other possible side-effects of using sildenafil include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision and hearing loss.

Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side-effects such as heart attack and stroke. In addition to heart attack and stroke, side-effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.

Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, bulimia nervosa, or obsessive compulsive disorder. Fluoxetine should never be used in combination with certain antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs, as this may lead to fatal side-effects. Fluoxetine may lead to changes in behavior and feelings, including thoughts about suicide and hurting others, changes in heart rhythms or birth defects and may cause allergic reactions.

Neostigmine methylsulfate is usually given as an injection by healthcare professionals to prevent and treat bladder and intestinal problems associated with surgery, to treat myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness), and to reverse the effect of certain anaesthetics. Neostigmine, when given by injection, has been associated with bradycardia (slow heart beat) and should therefore be administered with other drugs that would counteract this side-effect. It should be used only carefully in patients with coronary artery disease, or other heart problems. 

Nicotine should not be used by pregnant women. Symptoms of a nicotine overdose include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweat, dizziness, disturbed hearing and vision, mental confusion, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and marked weakness.

Report health or safety concerns

  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Visit MedEffect Canada's web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Media enquiries

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

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